Students score high in dental quiz

Nine years ago the Dental Health Quiz started in an effort to promote good dental hygiene among children, since then many students have entered the contest and walked away with some fabulous prizes. This year, however, for the first time the contest had to be held only at the district level due to Hurricane Keith. Today, the students who took part in the quiz and won were awarded for their outstanding performance.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The children who were awarded represent five zones in the Belize District Competition. In zone one Tamari Rocke of Grace Primary school top the scores, In zone two, Stacy Martinez from St. John’s Vianney, in zone three Giselle Marin from Holy Redeemer Upper. In zone four Melissa Rosado of St. Joseph Upper, and in zone five, Delbert Rhaburn from Crooked Tree Government School. Martinez says she was not fully prepared for the quiz, so she did not expect to do well in the contest.

Stacy Martinez, St. John’s Vianney

“I just studied because I got it a little late because I did not come to school the Friday before Keith, it was not until after Keith that I got my paper I just studied for the quiz.”

There were two overall winners in the contest. Alexander Evans who captured first prize and Susan Erskine who came in second. Both students received a roundtrip ticket courtesy of American Airlines.

Susan Erskine, Second Place

“I was shocked, I didn’t believe. I didn’t think I would have gone so far. I just entered for fun cause I wanted to learn something and I ended up at the finals.”

The quiz was just one of many activities that were held for the week, which was celebrated under the theme: Healthy Teeth, Beautiful Smile.

Dr. Carl Meggs, Senior Dental Surgeon, Belize

“Let me just point out, there are fifty two weeks in the year this is but one and after today hopefully we can go on and not just say we celebrated dental health week and next week we go back to the same old like they say same old and forget what we are suppose to be all about.”

The award ceremony took place at the UWI building on Princess Margaret Drive.